GP reforms improve NHS referrals

Early examples suggest commissioning changes could cut 2.5 million pointless GP referrals - NHS meets target for rolling out reforms. GPs are sending fewer patients to hospital for unnecessary appointments following Government reforms giving practices a greater say in how the NHS provides and buys services for patients. Reports from the NHS, published for the first time today, show that GP practices in some parts of the country are cutting the number of patients they refer to consultants by a quarter by taking direct control of commissioning decisions.

(Published 26/01/07)